The best shooter games of 2026 are not all chasing the same audience. Gears of War: E-Day brings back heavy, cover-based combat. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 offers a more familiar first-person package, while DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations gives single-player FPS fans a substantial new reason to return.
Then there are the games built around a different kind of commitment. Marathon is preparing a major update that could change how players approach its extraction format. ARC Raiders has already built a sizeable audience since its 2025 launch, and Counter-Strike 2 remains a major destination for competitive players.
So which games are actually worth playing right now? That depends on whether you want a campaign, ranked matches, cooperative missions, or the risk of losing valuable gear during an extraction run.
Here is a closer look at the shooters that deserve your attention in late 2026, what each one does particularly well, and which titles could make an impression at The Game Awards.
Best Shooter Games of 2026: Quick Comparison
| Game | Genre | Best For | Main Reason to Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gears of War: E-Day | Third-person cover shooter | Campaign and co-op | Heavy combat and Horde Siege |
| Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 | First-person shooter | Campaign and multiplayer | Several distinct modes in one package |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations | Single-player FPS expansion | Fast, skill-based combat | New Chain Spear and challenging encounters |
| Marathon | Extraction FPS | PvPvE and tactical progression | High-risk runs and upcoming PvE content |
| ARC Raiders | Third-person extraction shooter | Scavenging and squad survival | Encounters against machines and other players |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Competitive FPS | Ranked tactical play | A large, established PC community |
| Helldivers 2 | Third-person co-op shooter | Cooperative PvE | Unpredictable squad missions |
| Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 | Retro FPS | Old-school action | Fast combat without a competitive grind |
One distinction is worth making before comparing them: FPS and TPS are different genres. Gears of War: E-Day and ARC Raiders use a third-person perspective, while Modern Warfare 4, Marathon, Counter-Strike 2, and Boltgun 2 are first-person shooters. This guide includes both because players searching for the best shooter games are not necessarily looking for FPS titles alone.
Gears of War: E-Day – A Strong Return, but the Campaign Has Its Critics
Gears of War: E-Day is one of the biggest third-person shooter releases of 2026. Set fourteen years before the original Gears of War, it follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the first days of the Locust invasion.
The appeal is immediately familiar. Weapons feel heavy, enemies hit hard, and staying behind the same piece of cover for too long can get you killed. The Coalition has also made movement and cover transitions feel smoother, giving the traditional Gears formula a more modern feel without abandoning its identity.
There is more here than a story campaign. E-Day supports solo play, two-player split-screen co-op on console, and online campaign co-op for up to four players. Horde Siege expands the familiar wave-survival formula, while Versus provides competitive 4v4 matches.
The critical reception deserves a closer look, though. Game Informer gave E-Day a highly positive 9.5 review score, praising its return to the franchise's strengths. PC Gamer was considerably more critical, awarding it 77/100. Its reviewer liked the shooting and multiplayer but found the lengthy campaign repetitive and overextended.
That disagreement is more useful to prospective buyers than a single headline score. E-Day's combat is a strong reason to play, but players primarily interested in a tightly paced solo campaign may not enjoy every part of it equally.
Game Pass also makes the decision easier. Players with an eligible subscription can access the game without buying it separately.
My recommendation: Start with E-Day if you enjoy cover-based combat, cooperative campaigns, and Gears' distinctive weapon handling. If you are mainly looking for competitive FPS matches, it is not a substitute for games built around that experience.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 – The Broadest FPS Package
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is the more straightforward recommendation for players who want a traditional first-person shooter with several ways to play.
Released on October 23, 2026, the game combines a cinematic campaign, conventional multiplayer, and DMZ. It launched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The campaign moves through a range of combat environments, from close-quarters engagements to larger military set pieces. It offers the familiar Call of Duty rhythm: fast encounters, cinematic sequences, and frequent changes in pace.
Multiplayer is where expectations become more complicated. The gunplay and competitive structure will feel familiar to returning players, but familiarity is not automatically a selling point for everyone. Some players want a refined version of the established formula; others want a more substantial change.
DMZ gives the package a different identity. Its extraction-focused missions ask players to consider objectives, equipment, rival squads, and when to leave an area. That creates a different kind of tension from simply chasing eliminations in a standard multiplayer match.
Reviews have been encouraging, but they are not identical. PC Gamer described Modern Warfare 4 as the kind of entry the series should aspire to, while Game Informer awarded it 8.5/10 and praised its campaign and multiplayer options. Both reviews also provide useful context on the game's technical performance and overall package.
The long-term question is what happens after launch. Multiplayer balance, seasonal content, matchmaking, and DMZ support will determine whether the game remains compelling months from now.
My recommendation: Modern Warfare 4 is the best all-round FPS choice here if you want a campaign alongside multiplayer and extraction gameplay. If competitive multiplayer is your only reason to buy it, read recent player feedback on the modes you intend to play before committing.
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations – The Best Single-Player FPS Pick
A list of the best FPS games of 2026 would feel incomplete without DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations.
Released on July 7, 2026, Revelations is a campaign expansion rather than a standalone game. It adds six levels, new enemies, puzzles, and the Chain Spear, a weapon that changes how the Doom Slayer approaches combat.
The Chain Spear is the most interesting addition. Instead of simply adding another firearm to the arsenal, it introduces a different way to move through encounters and manage threats. Players who enjoy aggressive positioning and learning enemy patterns have more to work with than they would in a straightforward weapon upgrade.
PC Gamer awarded the expansion 90/100, describing it as a particularly strong combination of The Dark Ages' combat and movement ideas from DOOM Eternal. The review also estimated around 10–15 hours of content, depending on how much players explore.
That makes Revelations an especially attractive option for players who already own the base game and want more substantial single-player action.
There is one buying detail to remember: this is downloadable expansion content. It is not a separate full game, so players need access to DOOM: The Dark Ages before they can play it.
My recommendation: If you want a single-player FPS with demanding combat, strong movement, and no multiplayer progression to worry about, Revelations is one of the strongest choices of the year.
Marathon – An Extraction FPS Facing an Important December Update
Marathon offers a different experience from traditional competitive shooters.
Bungie's game is built around extraction gameplay. Players enter dangerous areas, collect resources, fight rival Runners, and attempt to escape with what they have found. A successful run can improve future loadouts, while a failed encounter can make the next deployment more difficult.
That changes the value of a firefight. Eliminating another player is not always the smartest decision. Sometimes the better option is to avoid a fight, finish an objective, and leave before another squad arrives.
The most important development for returning players is the upcoming Symbiosis update.
Bungie has scheduled the update for December 8, 2026. It is planned to introduce Expedition, a permanent PvE experience, alongside a refreshed Perimeter zone, a new Runner shell, a social space with a firing range, and an experimental 3v3 Team Deathmatch mode. An Open Play Week is also scheduled for December 8–15.
These additions matter because extraction games can be difficult to recommend to players who dislike losing equipment or being repeatedly eliminated by stronger squads. A permanent PvE option and a mode without permanent loadout risk could give Marathon a wider audience.
However, the update has not launched yet. Its actual impact on player retention and the game's reputation remains to be seen.
My recommendation: Marathon is worth watching if you enjoy Bungie's gunplay and the tension of extraction gameplay. If you are considering returning, December 8 is a more meaningful date than simply jumping back in before the new content arrives.
ARC Raiders – A Third-Person Extraction Shooter That Still Matters
ARC Raiders should not be described as a new 2026 release. It launched on October 30, 2025, but its continued activity makes it relevant to anyone choosing an extraction shooter this year.
Unlike Marathon, ARC Raiders uses a third-person perspective. Its world revolves around scavenging, crafting, dangerous mechanical enemies, and encounters with other players.
A routine trip to the surface can become complicated very quickly. Fighting an ARC machine may attract attention from nearby Raiders, and carrying valuable resources creates a reason to avoid unnecessary combat. Sometimes the best decision is to extract rather than risk losing everything for one more encounter.
Its player numbers also provide useful context. Nexon reported in January 2026 that the game had passed 12.4 million units sold and reached a concurrent-player peak of 960,000 across platforms. Those figures demonstrate the scale of its launch, although they should not be confused with its current daily player count.
Steam's player history shows that activity has moved up and down during 2026, with notable increases around major periods of renewed interest. This is a better way to describe its current position than simply calling it a permanent runaway success.
My recommendation: Choose ARC Raiders if you prefer third-person combat, scavenging, and unpredictable encounters with both AI enemies and human players. If you specifically want a first-person extraction shooter, Marathon is the closer comparison.
Established Shooters Still Worth Playing
New releases are not automatically better choices than established games. For competitive players and anyone looking for a reliable multiplayer community, older shooters can still be the smarter option.
Counter-Strike 2 – Best for Competitive FPS Players
Counter-Strike 2 remains one of the strongest choices for players who want a serious competitive shooter.
Its round-based structure rewards map knowledge, recoil control, utility usage, economy management, and communication. There is no need to rely on a complicated progression system to make each match meaningful. The improvement comes from understanding the game and making better decisions under pressure.
SteamDB's FPS charts continue to place Counter-Strike 2 among the most-played FPS titles on the platform. That matters for players who want an active PC community, although player counts alone cannot tell you whether the matchmaking experience or competitive environment will suit you.
Best for: Players who enjoy ranked matches, tactical teamwork, and long-term mechanical improvement.
Helldivers 2 – Best for Cooperative Shooting
Helldivers 2 is a very different recommendation from Counter-Strike 2.
Its third-person missions focus on cooperative objectives, enemy pressure, equipment choices, and teamwork. Friendly fire can turn a successful mission into chaos, especially when several players deploy powerful stratagems at the same time.
It is not a competitive FPS, and it does not need to be. The game's appeal comes from working with friends, completing objectives, and dealing with situations that rarely unfold exactly as planned.
Best for: Players who want cooperative PvE rather than ranked competition.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 – Best for Old-School FPS Action
Boltgun 2 is worth considering if you want a more traditional retro shooter.
It focuses on direct combat, recognizable weapons, and the exaggerated action associated with classic FPS design. It does not ask players to spend their evenings managing a competitive rank or learning an elaborate extraction economy.
Its narrower focus is part of the appeal. Players looking for a large live-service ecosystem should look elsewhere, but fans of old-school shooting may find exactly what they want.
Best for: Players who enjoy retro FPS games, fast encounters, and single-player action.
Most Played FPS Games on Steam: What the Numbers Tell Us
If you are choosing a multiplayer FPS, an active player base matters. It can affect matchmaking times, the availability of different modes, and how easy it is to find other players at your skill level.
SteamDB's live FPS charts provide a useful snapshot. In the data checked for this article, Counter-Strike 2 and PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS were among the biggest games by 24-hour peak concurrent players. Call of Duty, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and Delta Force also appeared among the leading established shooters.
The 24-hour peak figures shown by SteamDB at the time of checking included:
| Game | Steam 24-Hour Peak |
|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | 1,122,168 |
| PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS | 718,335 |
| Apex Legends | 242,809 |
| Call of Duty | 135,598 |
| Delta Force | 113,944 |
These are Steam figures, not global player totals. They do not include every console player or users on other PC launchers, and they represent a peak within a 24-hour period rather than the number of players online at the same moment.
Still, the figures make one thing clear: players looking for an established PC FPS community have several proven options beyond the newest releases.
TGA 2026: Which Shooter Games Could Earn Recognition?
The Game Awards 2026 is scheduled for December 10. According to the official rules, games must be commercially available by November 20 at 9 p.m. PT to qualify for most categories.
There is no standalone Best Shooter category in the current award structure. That means shooters must compete in broader categories according to their creative and technical achievements.
The Game Awards also uses an international jury of more than 100 media and influencer outlets to select nominees for most categories. Winners are determined through a combined vote, with 90% coming from the jury and 10% from the public.
Based on their reception and design, these are the shooter-related releases I would keep an eye on:
Gears of War: E-Day
E-Day has a strong case because of its recognizable franchise identity, polished cover shooting, and substantial multiplayer content. Its divided critical reception is worth considering, but the strength of its combat gives it a credible awards conversation.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Modern Warfare 4 has the production scale and variety to attract attention. Its campaign and DMZ content have been well received, although the overall critical response to its different modes is not completely uniform.
DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations
Revelations deserves consideration because it is more than a small content update. Its new combat mechanics, Chain Spear, and substantial campaign content make it an interesting expansion to watch. The Game Awards' official rules allow expansions and DLC to be considered in award categories when the jury believes the new creative or technical work merits recognition.
Marathon
Marathon is a more uncertain contender. Its extraction design is distinctive, and Symbiosis could improve its appeal, but future content should not be treated as an achievement before players have experienced it.
These are editorial predictions, not confirmed nominations. The final selection belongs to The Game Awards jury.
Which Shooter Should You Play in 2026?
If you are still deciding, the easiest way to narrow the list is to think about the experience you want rather than the game's release date.
| What You Want | Recommended Game |
|---|---|
| A story-driven third-person campaign | Gears of War: E-Day |
| Campaign, multiplayer, and extraction in one package | Modern Warfare 4 |
| A demanding single-player FPS | DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations |
| First-person extraction gameplay | Marathon |
| Third-person extraction and scavenging | ARC Raiders |
| Competitive ranked FPS matches | Counter-Strike 2 |
| Cooperative PvE missions | Helldivers 2 |
| Classic retro shooting | Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 |
If you only want one new game, Modern Warfare 4 is the broadest FPS package on this list. Gears of War: E-Day is the better fit if you prefer third-person cover shooting and co-op. For players who mainly want a single-player FPS, DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations deserves a serious look, particularly if you already own the base game.
There is no reason to abandon established games just because a new release arrives, either. Counter-Strike 2 remains a strong competitive choice, while Helldivers 2 offers something that traditional PvP shooters cannot.
Final Verdict: The Best Shooter Depends on How You Play
The strongest shooter experiences of 2026 come from very different parts of the genre.
Gears of War: E-Day offers excellent cover-based combat and a substantial multiplayer package, even if its campaign has divided reviewers. Modern Warfare 4 is the most versatile traditional FPS choice, while DOOM: The Dark Ages – Revelations is a standout for players who want demanding single-player action.
Marathon and ARC Raiders serve a different audience: players who enjoy scavenging, managing risk, and deciding when to fight or extract. Counter-Strike 2 and Helldivers 2 remain worthwhile for competitive and cooperative play.
For TGA 2026, Gears, Modern Warfare 4, DOOM: Revelations, and Marathon are all worth watching, but for different reasons. None should be treated as a confirmed nominee.
The best choice is ultimately the one that fits your preferred way to play. A strong campaign, a ranked match, and a tense extraction run are not competing versions of the same experience. They are different reasons to enjoy shooters, and 2026 has delivered options for all three.
